ALEXANDRITE GEMSTONE

Physical Properties

Color

Green in daylight and red in incandescent light.

Hardness

8.5

Specific Gravity

3.68 - 3.75

Refractive index

1.745 - 1.759

Overview: Alexandrite is used as a gemstone. Faceted Alexandrite gemstones with good color change are considered very valuable, even when visible inclusions are present. Alexandrite is the variety of chrysoberyl that displays a change-of-color from green to red. A distinct color change is the primary qualification for a chrysoberyl to be considered Alexandrite. The strength of the color change is related to the difference in the areas of transmission, relative to the absorption in the yellow. The greater the difference, the stronger the color change.

Mystical Power: Alexandrite is a stone of good omen. Alexandrite can assist one in centering the self, reinforcing self-esteem, and increases ones ability to experience joy.

Legend: Alexandrite was named after Prince Alexander because it was discovered in 1830 on the day of his coming of age. Russian legend has Alexandrite being discovered in the Ural Mountains in 1831. It was a favorite in Russia until the Bolshevik Revolution. In 1987, a new find of Alexandrite was made in Brazil at a locality called Hematita. The Hematita Alexandrite shows a striking and attractive color change from .htmlberry red to bluish green

Color: Alexandrite is typically found in blue, blue-green, and brownish-green shades. However, this phenomenal gem is known as "emerald by day, ruby by night" because of its ability to change color, depending on the type of light in which it's viewed. In the daylight and fluorescent light, alexandrite appears in shades of blue and green, but in tungsten (incandescent) light, it appears in shades of red. Other alexandrite color changes are possible (from blue to purple, from greenish blue to reddish blue, from brownish-green to brownish-red, etc.) and also highly prized.